World Cup fever has started, my predictions

Well the World Cup has started and the excitement is growing, particularly ahead of tonight's game against USA, where if England win it will set us up for a good run that could end in the final. We have a really good chance to progress to win the trophy since 1990. The flags are flying well in the streets, which is what I love about football tournaments when England qualify, the whole country gets behind the team. What I also love about the World Cup is that all nations of people

ENGLANDS BEST TEAM TONIGHT

I believe Capello will play James in goal with Ledley King partnering John Terry. My choice in midfield is Milner in defensive midfield cover in fornt of the back four with Cole, Lampard and Gerrard making a midfield trio. Gerrard needs to be freed to sit just behind Rooney and Crouch in order to attack into space. Capello may even play Rooney on his own and bring in Lennon, which is possibly a way forward. If Heskey plays that it is no bad thing as he has a good knack of getting the best from our to pforwards, Rooney may prefer this himself.

MY PREDICTIONS

It is great for the World Cup and for Africa that South Africa did well against Mexico and I would not be surprised if they make the second round.

What ever happens with England I feel they will inevitably have to get past Germany or Holland in the semis and/or final and penalties will no doubt figure in these games. My view is that England will get out of the group as top team and will beat Serbia in the second stage. England then could meet France or Mexico in the Quarter Finals and should win this fixture, although penalties have figured in the previous two quarter final exits.

Spain will meet Italy in the last eight and progress. Spain are the team to beat but often in the World Cup the obvious choice comes up short when the pressure is on and Spain haven't got a great record when it comes to penalties, even we knocked them out in pens in 1996.

Germany will face Argentina in the Quarter Finals and although Argentina has the best players by far, and they have some wonderful skillful players like Messi, Teves and Di Maria no team wins the world cup with a random manager who is self -possessed with his own fame, Maradona will fall short as a manager.

Holland may meet Brazil in the quarter Finals in what could be a classic.I believe Holland will be the darkhorses as they are strong in all areas. The smart money is on Brazil and Spain, but with the efficient Germans with more flair than usual in the shape of Ozil and the Dutch with their tough defence and flair of Schneider and Robben and with Van Persie fit from a quiet season at Arsenal they are for me the teams England need to beat to win the world cup. Holland will also be boasted by a large indigeonous Boer population who will blow their horns all the way.

Whatever happens I will enjoy the world cup and internationalist spirit football brings. I have a few bottles in the fridge which may go by 10.00pm tonight. ENJOY!